Mid-Ohio Energy linemen Luke Jackson and Jonathan Lewis recently completed extensive on-the-job training and coursework to earn the designation of 'Class A' journeyman lineworkers.

The co-op celebrated their achievement with presentation of certificates and cake during an all-employee meeting. 

Earlier in the year, Luke and Jonathan each graduated the Central Ohio Lineworker Training (COLT) program. Mid-Ohio Energy commends them for their hard work in completing this rigorous four-year program (read more about the program below)!

About the COLT program

The COLT program provides an elite, hands-on training experience to lineworkers to develop the knowledge and skills to become first class lineworkers. Jackson and Lewis were each hired by the cooperative in 2020, and began their coursework later that year.

The COLT program is available to lineworkers employed by one of Ohio’s 24 electric co-ops located across the state. The training facilities are located outside of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, next to Consolidated Cooperative, and includes a large indoor training facility and a 16-acre outdoor training field.

The indoor training facility includes a classroom as well as a state-of-the-art work area that can hold 19 poles under its roof — to provide valuable opportunities to conduct energized and de-energized line work exercises while climbing or working out of a bucket. The indoor space also features an energized underground line system, and various stations to learn about line equipment and technology.

Learn more about the hands-on apprentice and journeyman training program for lineworkers employed by Ohio’s electric cooperatives: https://ohioec.org/central-ohio-lineworker-training-program